Chicken Monster Sighting
Monday, November 13th, 2006Well, it isn’t actually presented as a “Chicken Monster,” but given its prominent beak and claws, let’s fit it in here. I’m talking, of course about the legendary creature from that 1958 American International Pictures movie, Night of the Blood Beast.
In this tale of science fiction terror, an astronaut (Michael Emmet) comes back to Earth… unfortunately, dead. But not for long. It seems he has been revivified by a lumpy, crusty-looking chicken alien — to serve as an incubator for the alien embyos now blupping away inside of him! Arguments ensue between alien, alien-possessed human, and non-possessed humans. Possessed human dies, crusty chicken alien dies.
We in the audience never see the alien using any advanced technology, or wearing any snazzy gear… in fact, the alien (He? Her? It?) is pretty scuzzy-looking. Maybe that’s because the costume had been previously used in another AIP production: Teenage Caveman, starring Robert Vaughn!
Vaughn plays the title character, a rebellious fellow who goes to meet the “Beast that kills with a touch”… who turns out to be a guy in a cruddy environmental suit! Because… the movie is actually set in post-holocaust times!
Both films were made in the same year. (I used to think the Chicken Crust Alien was in Blood Beast first, but then I read that he (She? It?) did the honors for Teenage Caveman before that. Knowledge is power!
Check back Wednesday for comics update!
November 13th, 2006 at 3:40 pm
I want to know who painted those movie posters and how dare they make the movie look far more tantalizing than what it really was. How many teen-aged dreams were crushed by these heartless marketing drones?
November 13th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
Well, that’s what you call your “artistic license” — you needn’t show an accurate image of the monsters or characters, you just whip up an “impression” of the thrills and chills waiting for you in the movie!
(I think movie posters like the ones above are much better that those of recent years; they tend to show a close-up of the star’s puss — scowling, grinning, making moo-moo eyes — and maybe a spaceship or an explosion in the background. BOR-ING!)
November 14th, 2006 at 2:11 pm
Yep, now we’re stuck with this truth in advertising thing. On the whole, I’d prefer a movie that actually delivered on its promise of thrills, chills and a ritual sacrifice to a bloodthirsty and over-sexed alien creature. Oh well, that’s Hollywood.
November 14th, 2006 at 11:09 pm
Meanwhile, I’m surprised you haven’t showcased the modern surrealism of Robot Chicken yet.
“Why did the chicken cross the road?”
“Bawk?”
“TO DIE IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE!” *cue chainsaw*